BEN AROUND: Helping you stand Auburn

By Ben Flanagan, Special to Tusk

Published: Friday, November 27, 2009 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 9:24 p.m.

Football rivalries bleed with hatred, tension and nasty cuss words, and rightly so. Today’s a sacred day for many in the state. The rest of the college football world might as well cease to exist because only one score matters.

Strangely, our annual occasion happens to be scheduled on a Friday, a first in my short life.

Saturday, Friday, Wednesday, whatever. Thousands of Alabamians will congregate (though not necessarily get along) in Jordan-Hare Stadium where one team will strive to complete a perfect season, and the other will hope to ruin it.

Take a moment to remember what I said about pleading for co-existence among Tide and LSU fans a few weeks ago. Take another moment to forget it. This is different.

Folks who do most of their cheering and partying in Tuscaloosa during the football season would rather spit into wind rather than surround themselves with orange and blue. But I wonder what kind of rivalry Tuscaloosa and Auburn hold with non-football happenings?

How dare I, I know. If you must travel down south, even just for four quarters, you’ll have to eat and drink something that isn’t fast food.

Some of my friends who either currently or used to reside in Auburn suggested these friendly spots where we Druid City folk could get a better taste of their town (without any blood).

Me, I’ve only been there once, for a flag-football game that I lost. We jetted out of there quickly, without trying any of the following places, but something tells me I’ll be back. And here’s where I’ll go:

Amsterdam Café: Whether you’re feeling casual or fancy-like, this laid-back experience should help you feel comfortable during all the tension throughout town. They recently finished a renovation featuring a starry night motif that ought to be easy on the eyes. As for the stomach, the crab cake and avocado sandwich, Amsterdam turkey wrap and Gulf Coast pasta seem like good places to start.

Café 123: In downtown Opelika rests this upscale dining place featuring Southern and Continental fare, according to its Web site, which also says you’ll experience fine dining without formality. It might call for deeper pockets, but you should have plenty to celebrate. Besides, I’m told it’s well worth it. The beef tenderloin Napoleon looks pretty mouth-watering on a computer screen.

Mellow Mushroom Pizza: A bit different from our own Italian eatery of the same name, this has more of a cozy, hole-in-the-wall atmosphere, locals say. For a pricier Italian experience, try Ariccia Italian Trattoria & Bar on College Street and Thach Avenue. Nothing

like pizza to substitute for the feelings that tonight’s loser is bound to eat.

Laredo’s: For a delicioso Mexican meal, travel down Opelika Highway for an affordable meal with quesadillas and margaritas. After watching a slew of heated battles in Bryant-Denny, nothing settled my appetite like an evening with Jalapeño’s, so see how Laredo’s matches up.

Cheeburger Cheeburger: A friend of mine and native to the area recommended this reasonably priced burger joint and referred to it as the most “Auburnish” place in town. For Tide fans, that may not sound all that enticing, but the same friend claimed it to have better burgers than our own Mugshots. Bold statement, friend. Quite bold. You can also get your milkshake on here.

17-16: Said to be a solid “pre-gaming” spot before you hit other bars in the area, this seemingly laid-back venue on Magnolia Avenue should provide a cool atmosphere either before the game or after a long night of partying. Watch, and I’ll just irritate you. Its name, sadly, stems from the infamous “Punt, Bama, Punt” game in 1972. You’ll find plenty of ways to drown your sorrows here.

War Eagle Supper Club: If you can get past its name, it could grow on you. Don’t forget, plenty of Aubies and other rival fans must endure knocking back shots and suds in traditionally named places like the Houndstooth that wear the Tide on their sleeves and across their backs. Believe it or not, we’re not the only ones.

Skybar: Typically quite crowded, this hotspot usually makes for a good time for college students. A favorite among AU undergrads, it has two rooms for live music so plan on talking about the game at a higher volume than usual, unless you’re consoling the poor Tiger fans over what’s transpired.

In Tuscaloosa this weekend:

Benefit concert Saturday at Little Willie’s: Starting around 4 p.m. tomorrow, you can hear live local bands and snack on Robertson’s catered barbecue. $12 per plate, or $5 cover charge if you don’t want to eat. Proceeds help to cover mounting medical expenses for a 10-year-old child. Come for tasty food, great music and a worthy cause. Also, check out Uri, which will close out the benefit show at Little Willie’s Saturday, at the Booth tonight.

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” at the Cobb Hollywood 16: How can’t we get excited for the new Wes Anderson movie? Enhance that excitement for this stop-motion animation adventure with the pairing of Roald Dahl’s universe, as well as the vocal talents of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Willem Dafoe. Following his sadly underrated odyssey picture “The Darjeeling Limited,” Anderson teams up with stop-motion animators to give us a fantastically, super-hip time at the movies.

TUESDAY

Dickens Downtown: The annual Victorian Christmas celebration festival will be 5-8 p.m. in downtown Northport, featuring music, food, drinks and visits from Father Christmas and Queen Victoria. The parade welcoming the Queen will begin at 5:30 p.m. Photographs will be taken of patrons with Father Christmas. There will be carriage rides, a snow flurry is guaranteed.

The Northport Christmas Tree Lighting: 5:30 p.m. at the Shirley Place House Museum. Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon will be on hand and Shirley Place will open for tours at 6 p.m.

Live music will be provided by local school singers and performers, the Alabama Pipes and Drums, strolling bagpiper Trent Bradford, and the Fifth Alabama Regimental Band

(7 p.m. at Shirley Place). Food will be sold by community organizations. Parking will be available at Northport Baptist Church, the old gin site and the old Mac’s Bait Shop site. 205-752-4761.

ONGOING

West Alabama Juried Show Exhibit: 25th Annual Juried Show exhibit, on display through Dec. 18 in the Bama Theatre’s Junior League Gallery, featuring original two- and three-dimensional works by West Alabama artists in a variety of media including oil, watercolor, acrylic and photography with most pieces available for purchase. Free. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Patrons should enter through the Arts Council offices, on the second floor of the PARA Building, adjacent to the theater. 205-758-5195. www.tuscarts.org.

“A Christmas Story”: Stage version of the classic movie, at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery’s Festival Stage; starts today and runs through Dec. 24. Performances this week are 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, with a

2 p.m. matinee Sunday. Tickets are $27-$45. Also in the ASF is “Ferdinand the Bull,” a family musical, through Dec. 19. General admission $30; $20 for ASF members and those younger than 25. Performances this week are at 2 and 4 p.m. today and Saturday. 800-841-4273. www.asf.net.

William Christenberry exhibit: Works by Tuscaloosa native and UA art department graduate William Christenberry, titled “Land/Memory,” are on display in the Sarah Moody Gallery of Art through Dec. 22. The gallery is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, with additional hours Thursday, 5-8 p.m. 205-348-1891.

<p>Football rivalries bleed with hatred, tension and nasty cuss words, and rightly so. Today’s a sacred day for many in the state. The rest of the college football world might as well cease to exist because only one score matters. </p><p>Strangely, our annual occasion happens to be scheduled on a Friday, a first in my short life.</p><p>Saturday, Friday, Wednesday, whatever. Thousands of Alabamians will congregate (though not necessarily get along) in Jordan-Hare Stadium where one team will strive to complete a perfect season, and the other will hope to ruin it. </p><p>Take a moment to remember what I said about pleading for co-existence among Tide and LSU fans a few weeks ago. Take another moment to forget it. This is different.</p><p>Folks who do most of their cheering and partying in Tuscaloosa during the football season would rather spit into wind rather than surround themselves with orange and blue. But I wonder what kind of rivalry Tuscaloosa and Auburn hold with non-football happenings? </p><p>How dare I, I know. If you must travel down south, even just for four quarters, you’ll have to eat and drink something that isn’t fast food.</p><p>Some of my friends who either currently or used to reside in Auburn suggested these friendly spots where we Druid City folk could get a better taste of their town (without any blood). </p><p>Me, I’ve only been there once, for a flag-football game that I lost. We jetted out of there quickly, without trying any of the following places, but something tells me I’ll be back. And here’s where I’ll go:</p><p><b>Amsterdam Café:</b> Whether you’re feeling casual or fancy-like, this laid-back experience should help you feel comfortable during all the tension throughout town. They recently finished a renovation featuring a starry night motif that ought to be easy on the eyes. As for the stomach, the crab cake and avocado sandwich, Amsterdam turkey wrap and Gulf Coast pasta seem like good places to start.</p><p><b>Café 123:</b> In downtown Opelika rests this upscale dining place featuring Southern and Continental fare, according to its Web site, which also says you’ll experience fine dining without formality. It might call for deeper pockets, but you should have plenty to celebrate. Besides, I’m told it’s well worth it. The beef tenderloin Napoleon looks pretty mouth-watering on a computer screen.</p><p><b>Mellow Mushroom Pizza:</b> A bit different from our own Italian eatery of the same name, this has more of a cozy, hole-in-the-wall atmosphere, locals say. For a pricier Italian experience, try Ariccia Italian Trattoria & Bar on College Street and Thach Avenue. Nothing </p><p>like pizza to substitute for the feelings that tonight’s loser is bound to eat.</p><p><b>Laredo’s:</b> For a delicioso Mexican meal, travel down Opelika Highway for an affordable meal with quesadillas and margaritas. After watching a slew of heated battles in Bryant-Denny, nothing settled my appetite like an evening with Jalapeño’s, so see how Laredo’s matches up.</p><p><b>Cheeburger Cheeburger:</b> A friend of mine and native to the area recommended this reasonably priced burger joint and referred to it as the most Auburnish place in town. For Tide fans, that may not sound all that enticing, but the same friend claimed it to have better burgers than our own Mugshots. Bold statement, friend. Quite bold. You can also get your milkshake on here.</p><p><b>17-16:</b> Said to be a solid pre-gaming spot before you hit other bars in the area, this seemingly laid-back venue on Magnolia Avenue should provide a cool atmosphere either before the game or after a long night of partying. Watch, and I’ll just irritate you. Its name, sadly, stems from the infamous Punt, Bama, Punt game in 1972. You’ll find plenty of ways to drown your sorrows here.</p><p><b>War Eagle Supper Club:</b> If you can get past its name, it could grow on you. Don’t forget, plenty of Aubies and other rival fans must endure knocking back shots and suds in traditionally named places like the Houndstooth that wear the Tide on their sleeves and across their backs. Believe it or not, we’re not the only ones.</p><p><b>Skybar:</b> Typically quite crowded, this hotspot usually makes for a good time for college students. A favorite among AU undergrads, it has two rooms for live music so plan on talking about the game at a higher volume than usual, unless you’re consoling the poor Tiger fans over what’s transpired.</p><h3>In Tuscaloosa this weekend:</h3>
<p><b>Benefit concert Saturday at Little Willie’s:</b> Starting around 4 p.m. tomorrow, you can hear live local bands and snack on Robertson’s catered barbecue. $12 per plate, or $5 cover charge if you don’t want to eat. Proceeds help to cover mounting medical expenses for a 10-year-old child. Come for tasty food, great music and a worthy cause. Also, check out Uri, which will close out the benefit show at Little Willie’s Saturday, at the Booth tonight.</p><p><b>Fantastic Mr. Fox at the Cobb Hollywood 16:</b> How can’t we get excited for the new Wes Anderson movie? Enhance that excitement for this stop-motion animation adventure with the pairing of Roald Dahl’s universe, as well as the vocal talents of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Willem Dafoe. Following his sadly underrated odyssey picture The Darjeeling Limited, Anderson teams up with stop-motion animators to give us a fantastically, super-hip time at the movies.</p><h3>TUESDAY</h3>
<p><b>Dickens Downtown:</b> The annual Victorian Christmas celebration festival will be 5-8 p.m. in downtown Northport, featuring music, food, drinks and visits from Father Christmas and Queen Victoria. The parade welcoming the Queen will begin at 5:30 p.m. Photographs will be taken of patrons with Father Christmas. There will be carriage rides, a snow flurry is guaranteed.</p><p><b>The Northport Christmas Tree Lighting: </b>5:30 p.m. at the Shirley Place House Museum. Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon will be on hand and Shirley Place will open for tours at 6 p.m.</p><p>Live music will be provided by local school singers and performers, the Alabama Pipes and Drums, strolling bagpiper Trent Bradford, and the Fifth Alabama Regimental Band </p><p>(7 p.m. at Shirley Place). Food will be sold by community organizations. Parking will be available at Northport Baptist Church, the old gin site and the old Mac’s Bait Shop site. 205-752-4761.</p><h3>ONGOING</h3>
<p><b>West Alabama Juried Show Exhibit: </b>25th Annual Juried Show exhibit, on display through Dec. 18 in the Bama Theatre’s Junior League Gallery, featuring original two- and three-dimensional works by West Alabama artists in a variety of media including oil, watercolor, acrylic and photography with most pieces available for purchase. Free. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Patrons should enter through the Arts Council offices, on the second floor of the PARA Building, adjacent to the theater. 205-758-5195. www.tuscarts.org.</p><p><b>A Christmas Story: </b>Stage version of the classic movie, at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery’s Festival Stage; starts today and runs through Dec. 24. Performances this week are 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, with a </p><p>2 p.m. matinee Sunday. Tickets are $27-$45. Also in the ASF is Ferdinand the Bull, a family musical, through Dec. 19. General admission $30; $20 for ASF members and those younger than 25. Performances this week are at 2 and 4 p.m. today and Saturday. 800-841-4273. www.asf.net.</p><p><b>William Christenberry exhibit:</b> Works by Tuscaloosa native and UA art department graduate William Christenberry, titled Land/Memory, are on display in the Sarah Moody Gallery of Art through Dec. 22. The gallery is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, with additional hours Thursday, 5-8 p.m. 205-348-1891.</p><p><b>Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness  Art & the American Experience:</b> Exhibition of Americana including almost 200 paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, ceramics, pieces of silver and furniture, from Yale University’s collection, Birmingham Museum of Art, on display through Jan. 10. Free admission. Hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 205-254-2565. www.artsbma.org.</p><p><b>Charlie Lucas  Alabama Metal Work and Folk Art:</b> Work by Lucas on display through Dec. 31 at ArtFolk Gallery, Young and Vann Building, 1731 1st Ave. N., Birmingham. Free. 205-802-2100.</p><h3>UPCOMING</h3>
<p>DEC. 4: Daughtry, Theory of a Deadman, 7:30 p.m., BJCC Arena, Birmingham. Tickets, $29.50 and $39.50, through Ticketmaster.</p><p>DEC. 4: Take 6, 8 p.m., BJCC Concert Hall, Birmingham. Tickets, ranging from $24 to $72, through Ticketmaster.</p><p>DEC. 5: Seventh Annual Holiday Singalong, sponsored by The Tuscaloosa News, 1-3 p.m., Capitol Park. Lyrics and accompaniment provided. 205-722-0201.</p><p>DEC. 5 and 12: Scrooge: The Musical, presented by Birmingham Children’s Theatre, 2 p.m., BJCC Mainstage Theatre. Tickets $8 for children and $10 for adults, through Ticketmaster.</p><p>DEC. 11-20: Christmas Belles, performed by Theatre Tuscaloosa, Bean-Brown Theatre, Shelton State. 205-391-2277. www.theatretusc.com. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12, 17-19; with 2 p.m. matinees Dec. 13, 16 and 20.</p><p>DEC. 13: Martina McBride, Jim Shelton, 7:30 p.m., BJCC Arena, Birmingham. Tickets, $32.75 to $57.75, through Ticketmaster.</p><p>DEC. 15: Mannheim Steamroller, 7 p.m., BJCC Concert Hall, Birmingham. Tickets, $42 to $72, through Ticketmaster.</p><p>JAN. 2, 2010: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., BJCC Arena, Birmingham. Tickets $25 to $55, through Ticketmaster. n</p>